Ellis had two spells as Villa chairman, the second of which began in 1982 when the club were the reigning European Cup holders.

In 2006, Ellis sold the club to American billionaire Randy Lerner, with Villa having won the League Cup three times over his two spells and finishing runners-up in the first season of the Premier League.

After selling the club, Ellis - who earned the popular nickname 'Deadly Doug' from former England striker Jimmy Greaves due to his love of salmon fishing - was named life president at Villa Park.